Halina and Antony Reid embarked upon a week of awareness raising events as part of CRY’s annual Raising Awareness Week. The Reids lost their son Tom suddenly in September 2009, aged just 19.
Friday 8th October
Halina was interviewed at home by Suzanne McTaggart, reporter from the Yorkshire Evening Post. Suzanne is writing a health article on SADS and CRY and our aims in helping raise awareness of the condition; and the awareness and fundraising we are doing for CRY and SADS UK. The article is being published on Wednesday 20th October.
Saturday 9th October
Halina, Antony, Natalie, Dan and Angela were in the Tesco store, Garforth with their awareness stand and stall with information leaflets and buckets. Much awareness was raised as the Yorkshire Evening Post article on 28th September helped local people be aware of what we were doing; and the free East Leeds Weekly news also contributed to this! So many customers were already aware of us and what we were aiming for. We also managed to collect £377.84 (not bad for a day’s work!).
Monday 11th to Wednesday 13th October
Halina brought the stand and information and set them up at work (NSPCC, Regional Office, Leeds). Much awareness was raised amongst work colleagues and friends with many taking leaflets home. Staff donated £28.45.
Tuesday 12th October
Antony visited Alexandria Hingley in London. Alex works for the Students Union at University College London. A good discussion was held about possible future events that we could help out with. Antony handed out CRY leaflets to students outside the main campus steps.
Friday 15th October
Our ‘Awareness Tour’ finished off at Sainsbury’s Store in Colton, Leeds – again with Natalie and Angela helping out. Further awareness was raised with lots of questions from customers who took away leaflets and information. £240.51 was raised! Whilst on the stand – and getting very cold at around 6.30pm! – we were approached by a gentleman who asked if we wanted to do a bag-pack fundraiser on Christmas Eve at his M&S Food Store in Leeds City Centre. We snapped his hand off at this offer!!
So, our raising awareness week came to an amazing end with the promise of more awareness and much fundraising to be had over the forthcoming festive season!! All in all, a reallllllly tiring but brilliant week!!
